Freedom of press abused

Some artists voluntarily peeled off some of their clothes to get more exposures, some others had a tighter bottom line.

A famous Hong Kong singer was pictured while changing in the backstage. The photograph was published on the front page of a local magazine. Gillian Chung was a young idol who had a healthy and positive image. She was very upset and burst into tears during an interview on this incident.

The Freedom of Press Act allows tabloids to publish 'news' they think is appropriate without going through auditing first. Once the magazines hit the market, it is too late for any remedial actions. The affected party can take legal action against the publishers, but in most case the results are monetary penalty, or at most suspending the license of the publishers.

However, some damages are irreversible. There is no way to get even.

Paparazzi claim they are not in the business of taking intrusive photographs for their own perverse pleasure; they are just fulfilling the public thirst. Sounds like these people are pillars of the society and without them the public will need to go hide under the bed or the bathrooms of the celebrities themselves. They sacrifice themselves to do the dirty jobs so we don't. I think they really deserve a big achievement award for making up all these bull with no shame.

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-eastasia.asp?parentid=51920
http://www.singpao.com/20060823/gossip/868326.html